Active shooter near polling station in Azusa, California

PUBLISHED Tue, November 08, 2016 - 6:43pm EST

At leas one person had died and others are injured after a heavily-armed gunman opened fire near a polling station in Azusa in California, local officials say. It is unknown if the shooting has any links to the presidential election. (more)

The incident began at 2:02 p.m. PT on Tuesday when a shooting was reported in the area of Fourth Street and Orange Avenue, which is in the vicinity of a polling station. Voters reported hearing gunfire outside, after which the station was put on lockdown.

Azusa is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.

Police said the first arriving officers located multiple victims at the scene, after which they came under fire from the suspect. "Multiple officers returned fire," a spokesperson said, adding that officers who were initially trapped have been rescued and are safe.

A large number of emergency services, including SWAT teams, have responded to the scene and police are continuing to describe it as an "active shooter" situation. It is believed that the suspect is heavily armed.

Police have confirmed that at least one person has been killed and two others have been transported in critical condition to area hospitals. A fourth victim is "down" at the shooting scene but his or her condition is still unknown.

"Critical Incident: Please stay out of the area of Fourth St & Orange Ave. All residents in the area shelter in place," the Azusa Police Department said in a statement. "All personnel are tied up with the critical incident. Please refrain from calling our dispatch center."

Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan said the Memorial Park and Dalton Elementary School polling stations were on lockdown. "Voters should avoid the area and, if necessary, cast a ballot at an alternate polling location. Updates to follow," he said.

There was no immediate word on a possible motive for the shooting, but the Islamic State group (ISIS) had called for attacks against American voters on Election Day, expressing hopes that the election would be a "dreadful calamity".

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